Then carefully returned the records to their sleeves.
She didn't yet know whether the documents would give her standing to challenge anything.
She didn't know whether they were complete.
And she certainly didn't know how she would afford the legal help required to understand them.
But for the first time since her father's funeral, she knew where to begin.
Miriam Vale agreed to meet Naomi the following week.
She was sixty-six, with short silver hair, a composed expression, and a reputation for advising founders who wanted to protect control rights and charitable commitments during complex transactions.
She had represented Samuel on personal estate and trust matters for more than a decade before retiring from full-time practice.
Her office occupied a modest townhouse rather than a glittering skyscraper.
Naomi found that reassuring.
She arrived carrying copies of the documents and a list of questions.
Miriam greeted her at the door.
Then stopped.
For a moment, the older woman's expression changed.
“Oh,” she whispered.
Naomi frowned.
“Is something wrong?”
Miriam shook her head.
“No.”
Her eyes filled.
“You look like your father.”
Naomi swallowed.
For years, people had told her that.
But hearing it from someone who knew Samuel professionally felt different.
Miriam led her into a quiet sitting room.
They discussed Elena's health.
Naomi's work.
And the circumstances surrounding the safe-deposit box.
Then Miriam began examining the documents.
Her expression became serious.
She explained that the trust provisions needed careful analysis and that Naomi's status could not be established merely by pointing to a photocopy.
The relevant instruments had to be authenticated.
The succession conditions needed to be reviewed.
And any required notices or appointments would have to be completed properly.
But the documents were significant.
They indicated that Samuel intended certain founder-related consent rights to remain under the stewardship structure after his death.
Miriam looked toward Naomi.
“Has anyone from Northstar contacted you about the trust?”
Naomi shook her head.
“No.”
“Not once?”
“No.”
The attorney's expression tightened.
She opened another file.
Then asked, “Did you receive the notice sent through the estate administration after Samuel died?”
Naomi frowned.
“What notice?”
Miriam became very still.
For a moment, she stared toward the papers.
Then looked up.
“The company was supposed to receive notice that Samuel had died and that any future transaction requiring the relevant founder consent would have to be addressed through the proper successor authority.”
Naomi leaned forward.
“Did they?”
Miriam hesitated.